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County set to see boom homes for 'Living Loners'

Apartments will suit singletons

The number of people living alone will increase by more than half over the next two decades - according to a new study.

The South East is set to see the biggest rise in “singletons”, with a national increase of 9.9 million forecast by experts.

This is 53 per cent up on the current figure.

It seems an Englishman’s home will always be his castle – be it for only one person in 2026.

A report by Alliance & Leicester Mortgages predicts the number of one person households, or “living loners”, will increase by 53 per cent to 9.9 million by 2026 – equivalent to three quarters of the total annual household growth over the next two decades.

The “Changing UK Household Market” report was compiled in liaison with think-tank Centre of Future.

It also projected a decrease in the numbers of people living as part of a traditional family unit with 2.4 children.

The percentage increase in one-person homes means property developers will have to adapt to the changing household make-up.

More than 200,000 extra new properties are needed each year to 2026 to cope with the influx of “living loners”.

This demand could be fulfilled by building or conversions such as city centre loft living.

Stephen Leonard, director of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, said: “Our ‘Changing UK Household Market’ report shows the demand for housing will increase over the next 20 years.

“Interestingly, the pressure will come from the changing make-up of households, as we see more people living on their own and the concept of the traditional family home steadily being eroded.

“We can expect to see an increase in flats and converted houses in the future due to the rise in the one person household, as understandably, people living on their own will be less likely to splash out on a larger property.”

If you¹ve got a complaint about your neighbourhood, or want to tell everyone about how great your town is, make a short film and post it on Your Kent TV service. Simply log on to YourKentTV.co.uk.

POSTED: 10/05/2008 06:00:00